Small/hidden/invisible checkpoints VS Regular checkpoints.

So I'm making a level atm.

I always rant on about consistency within gameplay elements, but I also feel hidden/invisible/soundless checkpoints keep the player immersed in the world you have created..

I can't decide wether to have seemless/unnoticable checkpoints to keep the player immersed, or have a consistant style checkpoint thoughout the level, which lets the play knows the risk/limits.
Assuming my hidden checkpoints are placed in fair positions (for example before a hard obstacle), does it matter?

What do you prefer? Do you even care?
For poll/arguments sake, lets pretend all checkpoints are infinite and spacing/placement is fair throughout.

i prefer small but visible like 1x1 (small grid) sized checkpoints.

But with levels I play, nice decorated ones that match the level theme are hard to notice.

well, invisible/uber-tiny checkpoints are only usefull (not really usefull, more of a visual improvement) if you're making a realistic level, (my opinion) as they can ruin the theme and such... othervise it's actually best to just leave them around the level in their original state, or sticker them with something nice.

so mega detail/realistic level = invisible checkpoint.
any random normal funny platform = normal checkpoint or stickied. (as long as you realize it's a checkpoint in other words)

um... yeah, that's how i see it.

I like when the checkpoints are easily visible but they also blend with the scenery... Even if it's just a sticker of the same texture from the material behind.
Depending on the theme, you can also blend the checkpoint even more into the scenery, like in that BioShock level where the checkpoints are vita-chambers.

I would go with hidden checkpoints if at all possible. I personally think small checkpoints look extremely tacky when not placed well, and regular checkpoints are a hit-or-miss kind of deal in LBP.

If you can sneak in some hidden checkpoints and signify them in some way (i.e. sticker, decoration, etc.), then that's what you should do.

I like the regular checkpoints. I don't know why, but I just don't like the small ones, the don't appeal to me. If you don't want it seen, just hide it and make it activated by a switch.

I've never been uhm... exmersed... by checkpoints, so just leave them in approximately the default size. The game has trained me to recognize a certain size of white circle as a safe point, so why mess with that? I don't mind if you dress them up a little.

I say nothing beats a regular sized, well placed checkpoint within the scenery as the large/tiny/invisible ones just don't feel natural to me. I can see in instances where these small ones would come in handy such as in a tiny vehicle or something like that but I say for a regular level, go for a regular one. You can even give them a nice sticker or decoration that compliments the scenery. :)

A blended checkpoint is very suitable and nice.
Though, if you want to stick to level a plain, clear level; then a regular checkpoint.
I guess it depends on what you're building specifically.

I have to agree with others that small or invisible look bad. Also if the check point is invisible then you pretty much have to have it infinate so the player doesn't have to guess at the number of lifes they have left. Also it looks bad when a full sized sack boy spawns from a little check point.

I would say regular sized if you can make it work with the scenery, smaller if it needs better blending and invisible if for some reason checkpoints make your level look like a horrible mess :p

Depends on the level. Mostly I leave them as they are, but in one example I can remember (may be more, but this is the only one I can think of), I hid them as much as I could, because it fit the theme.

I agree, to everyone who has posted above.
you know, what ever looks best or Looks like a safe point and several others.
In a level that i am building, in meny spots the player would spawn out of site. With out glitching, it does not ruin the scenery. i am thinking about puting it behind something that the player goes by and hears the sound of the checkpoint.
For the amount of lives, i never use the single life ones. I want the player to finish the level and not rate bad because its "to hard"

It depends. I don't like the player suddenly appearing from nowhere after dying - so small ones are a No-no. However, you could cleverly conceal the checkpoint behind a hidden door - so when the person dies, they go back, and a hidden door opens where there's a checkpoint. That way you can keep it hidden, and it wouldn't ruin the atmosphere. You could even make some kind of marker that fits in with your level to show where all the checkpoints are. I want to give a good example, but I can't think of any except Comphermc's Aperture Science level - where it kind of tells you you've got a checkpoint, but the checkpoint only appears when it's needed. Invisible and small aren't great though...

:)

I agree with Standby, really if the checkpoint more goes with the environment itself, then it flows more consistently with the theme of the level.

I'm in favour of visible and regular sized checkpoints although I think they're a bit unsightly left plain unless you're going for a plain look or a brown circle shape would look good where the checkpoint is. This thread made me experiment in a blank level, I designed 10 or so checkpoints. Best one I came across is the decoration from PotC DLC, the hull cannon. When enlarged enough and placed dead centre the white cricle when activated is actually visible around the cannon inside the hatch that surrounds the cannon, although you have to have the checkpoint in the third plane and a platform in the first otherwise sackboy spawns inside the polygons of the decoration which looks pants. Another good one was using coin or circular decorations but within the white outer circle or covering the entire checkpoint with large mask decorations. That last one's quite good because the checkpoint is completely hidden behind the stone head decoration (and a few leaves for variety) but if the only time you use that stone head is for checkpoints then after passing the first one and hearing the gong the user knows it's a checkpoint yet it blends with the level if you're doing an ancient temple or ruin theme. Might not apply to the level you have in mind but maybe you could find a decoration more fitting to your level and try the same method with that.
Can you specify a theme for your level? This designing checkpoints lark is quite fun, I might make a concept checkpoint for you to evaluate.

http://i51.tinypic.com/2hfuu1k.jpg

http://i51.tinypic.com/savzvb.jpg

http://i51.tinypic.com/2niw31g.jpg

http://i51.tinypic.com/16a8itl.jpg

Lolz, kinda funky checkpoints there. :p

If they're well placed and they work, then what's the problem?
A checkpoint's a checkpoint, no matter what its looks (or doesn't looks) like. :p

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Silverleon

If they're well placed and they work, then what's the problem?
A checkpoint's a checkpoint, no matter what its looks (or doesn't looks) like. :p

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i agree just make the checkpoints how u want to:)